Post-game notes, quotes

– The Rangers were defeated by the Buffalo Sabres, 4-1, tonight at Madison Square Garden, to finish their seven-game homestand with a 4-3-0 mark.

– New York has posted a record of 46-21-7 (99 pts) overall, including a 26-10-2 mark at home.

– The Rangers have posted a combined record of 16-4-5 in back-to-back games, including an 8-2-3 (3-1-0 at home, 5-1-3 on the road) record in the first game of the set.

– The Blueshirts’ penalty kill was 1-1 (2:00) against the Sabres tonight, and have now held their opponent scoreless in nine of the last 12 games (30-33, 90.9%) and are 35-39 (89.7%) in the last 14 contests.

Player Notes:

– Brian Boyle notched the Rangers’ lone goal at 9:32 of the second period, was credited with two hits and won a team-high, 9-16 faceoffs (56%). He has now won 30-50 (60.0%) faceoffs in the last three games.

– Tim Erixon tallied his first career NHL point with an assist, and registered two shots on goal in 15:17 of ice time. He also finished the contest with an even rating, and has now posted a plus or even rating in 12 of 17 NHL games.

– Artem Anisimov recorded the primary assist on Boyle’s goal, and logged 16:38 of ice time. The assist was his 20th of the season, marking the second consecutive season he reached that plateau.

– Ryan Callahan was credited with a game-high, nine hits, and tied for the game-high with three blocked shots in 23:37 of ice time. Entering tonight’s contest, Callahan ranked sixth among NHL forwards in blocked shots, and sixth in the league overall in hits.

– Henrik Lundqvist made 22 saves and is now 34-16-5 overall, including a 20-8-2 mark at home.

– Lundqvist finished the seven-game homestand with a record of 3-2-0 and a 2.35 goals against average. Martin Biron was 1-1-0 with a 3.50 goals against average in two games.

– Brad Richards led the team in scoring with five goals and 10 points during the seven-game homestand. Marian Gaborik (three goals, four assists) and Carl Hagelin (two goals, five assists) each tallied seven points on the homestand. Hagelin and Richards also tied for the team lead with five assists apiece.

Post-Game Quotes:

– John Tortorella on tonight’s game… “We had some chances. (Buffalo’s) second goal really killed us, it really hurt us, because (Ryan) Miller is playing so well. We gave that one up when we had full control of the puck and really maybe a chance to score another goal ourselves.”

– Henrik Lundqvist on tonight’s game… “You just try to stop the puck; you don’t try to adjust your game. It is what it is. We were close to tying the game, but it was pretty obvious that the odd man rushes killed us tonight. Going into the third, we felt like we had a chance to tie the game. We played pretty well but it was just a couple of turnovers that really cost us. They’re a quick team and we knew that it was important to be smart with the puck, we just had a couple of tough bounces on the blue line.”

– Ryan Callahan on tonight’s game… “I thought we had a good first 10 minutes. We were in their zone, we were forechecking and then after that it was up and down for us. There were periods of time where we were good and there were periods of time where we weren’t. I thought we came into the third, had our chances, and battled hard. They get that goal to make it 3-1, and it’s tough to come back from there.”

Team Schedule:

– The Rangers will return to action when they face-off against the Toronto Maple Leafs tomorrow, Mar. 24, at Air Canada Centre (7:00 p.m.), in an Original Six matchup. The game will be televised live on MSG 2 and can be heard on Bloomberg Radio.

LQ was terrible. Other than that one save in the first. Totally outplayed by Miller. Not one big save in the third when they needed him most.

Now all you John Mitchell fans know why he is and always will be a career minor leaguer. What a piece of garbage! This scrub should not see the ice again! He cost us this game. A real contending team would never have a scrub like this as a regular in the lineup!

Staal with another terrible game! Maybe he should be allowed to watch from upstairs what is going on happening on the ice? The defense was far better when he wasn’t in the lineup. Most here don’t want to hear that but it is true! Sorry.

Overall, their inability to finish hurt them big time tonight. It will ultimately be their undoing.

1) They have no better option
1a) John Tortorella hates Sean Avery’s guts

I’m not sure anybody really considers Mitchell to be anything more than a fourth line forward – a few of the dolts here are quick to point how great the guy is when he does something good once every five or six games – but he’s fine for what he is. I don’t think you should be expecting much more out of him than you’re getting out of Rupp, and he’s a much better player than Mike Rupp is. This is the first really bad game the guy has had since he’s been up with the pro club, so I think you need to cut him some slack.

yeah that pinch by Stawlh that lead to the third goal… what a scrub! Scratch him for entire career! Also Stephun with a turnover that lead to the fourth goal… send him to the minors for conditioning and never recall him back! USELESS PUNK! :)

I am sorry. I criticized saint Staal. I should know better. It doesn’t matter than he can’t make a good outlet pass, or take the body instead of poke checking. Or get a single shot on goal during a game. I should be happy that he has perpetual brain freeze when he has the puck and holds onto it as if the whole world is waiting for him to make up his mind on what to do with it.

nobody is protecting Staallh or any other player who deserves to be criticized…just have a little fun with some people who usually don’t have anything positive to say at all, regardless of the outcome of the game.

“Oooh, ooh -Chris, can I get your autograph?! You’re like my favorite player! I got your jersey and everything! I followed your whole college career and even rooted against you in the Frozen Four so you could play for the -Rangers- Whale that much quicker! I love you!!”

Ah,the resident fool from Carp’s blog is back in mom’s basement in front of the computer posting his insightful ” thoughts”. again bringing zero to the table as always other than his usual insults. Of course you are too stupid to understand that I wasn’t calling Mitchell a piece of garbage on a personal level but merely referring to his hockey ability. but being the mOrron that you are it’s understandable.

Your are a brave keyboard warrior aren’t you, jackass? Tell you what, why don’t you give Carp permission to send me your email address. I will do the same. And perhaps you and can make arrangements to get together and I would be glad to give you some chemistry lessons.

Having been at MSG tonight, I agree with you guys. Mitchell had a goal and an assist tonight. Unfortunately, it was for Buffalo. Uh, John, go to the far end of the bench, like where Marty is, and sit down for the rest of the game. That’s a good boy.

As for Staal, it is just as CCCP says. Outlets are wretched, minimal checking, cringes when guys are running him or shooting in his direction, 50% of his pinches are bad decisions. I feel sorry for him, cuz he just had a major injury, but he’s not playing like a top 4 d man. Sadly, last year he was arguably our number 1.

I feel confident in the direction this team is going in. Is this our year? No. After 10 other ones for Sather, it should be, but we will add. I look forward to the next 2 years. Even with Sather.

What’s the matter tough guy? Are you afraid? You wouldn’t be so brave without your key board protecting you would ice hole.

And no it’s shills like you who ruin the fan base. Morons like you sat there for years in front of the key board defending every thing this team did I bet. All the stupid free agents. The horrible draft picks. The lousy coach. Everything was good for usefull idiots like you. Me, Ian sick and tired of having only seen one cup in 37 years. I want to see more. I am patient if things are being done right. But having five fourth line forwards dress on nightly basis is not what I want to see.

Everything is going to be ok, man. Don’t take things to heart so much…we are all swimming in the same boat here. Nobody on here likes when the Rangers lose…well, maybe some do but the team is still on top of the conference and about to get 100 points for the first time in what seems like forever. Lots to be proud of, brother.

Hey, you are right. Lots to be proud of. I just hate to see them lose to a team they are better than. Especially with home ice on the line. Like I said before, home ice in hockey is not as meaningful as it once was, accept if there is a game seven. And the way this team plays you can almost envision a game seven in any series they play in.

Oh….Buffalo Gal won’t you come out tonight, come out tonight, come out tonight, and dance by the light of the moon…(.now listen yere…how many games are won after you’ve kicked the puck into your own goal ..hmmmm? )

…gonna dance with the dolly with the hole in her
stockin, and her toes keep a rockin, and her knees keep a knockin..gonna dance by the light of the mooooon..

Gdyeh mozhetya vidyet ??? I picked up a few phrases from the Jagodas next door some years ago
( Ukes)..don’t know what it meant, but they had two daughters both beautiful and over six feet tall…never forgot them .in my adolescence they were goddesses,
but the brother Walter ( that’s what they called him), had girls after him constantly.) Parents ran a small mom and pop grocery store. Ja bkotyelpes matrich????

I’m not a Tort’s fan . His lack of empathy , when asked about Zucc shows what kind of an asss he really is . I am a Ranger Fan , so I have to live with his crap. the king has got to play more not less , he needs to be on top of his game , not watching Biron . Tort’s love for grinding 4th liners is going to be our downfall .